io6 A Modern Bee-Farm 



It should be distinctly understood that it is not always the 

 larger population which gives the heaviest surplus, as it is possible 

 for the hive of medium strength to send out a much larger 

 gathering force. These are delicate points which require careful 

 consideration but which are too often overlooked. 



In this connection it may be mentioned that more often than 

 not valuable queens of any prolific race are inserted at a time it 

 is desirable an excess of brood should not be produced. A black 

 queen, or any one that has bred heavily during the early part of 

 the season is removed from a stock that is gathering abundantly 

 and even crowding her out. The young queen is inserted and 

 this being her iirst chance to enjoy her occupation, the. stores 

 rapidly give place to brood. The owner soon comes to the 

 decision that the queen is too prolific and that her bees do nothing ; 

 and yet the fault is simply his own. That the same bees 

 will gather honey as well or better than his original stock, he can 

 at once prove for himself by simply removing the brood and 

 giving empty combs, when he will in a short space of time see 

 these combs as heavy with honey as the others were with brood 

 {see page 44, on proper times for Queens to breed heavily.) 

 Well, the 



First Honey Flow 



is upon us ; weather steady, and temperature from 70'^ to 80° 

 in the shade, with plenty of forage in all directions. Our sections 

 are all ready on the hives, providing not less than 40 lbs. capacity 

 with combs all drawn out ; or 20 lbs. to start with if only foundation 

 is given, or with weaker colonies. 



We are now in full working order and in looking around we 

 find, here a hive and there another which require more surplus 

 room, or the bees will be at work below the brood nest. Where 

 any crates are completed remove them, inserting a fresh set in 

 place of each. If foundation has to be used let that go next 

 above the brood frames ; and combed sections if on hand are to 

 be placed above those already on the hive. Great care must be 

 taken to reduce the super-space towards the end of the season. 



